A Lesson From a Tombstone: Part Two

Wandering among the dated memorials trying to decipher the stories of shades who walked the dusty streets a hundred years before, we came across the most unusual and intriguing tombstone.

In one sense, it was very much like the others around it. It was made of white stone, stood about 2 feet out of the ground, and was etched with letters that were highlighted with faded, red paint. Unlike the others, however, this one didn’t have a name etched into it. Instead, it was inscribed with the surprising expression:

“UNKNOWN MAN DIED EATING LIBRARY PASTE JULY 14 1908.”

I’m reminded in times like these, that truth is indeed stranger than fiction.

Like water in an arroyo after a sudden rainstorm, the questions ran slowly at first, but swiftly gained momentum and swelled into a flash flood of inquiry.

Why was a grown man eating library paste?

Was he starving? Is that all he could find to eat?

Was he mentally ill?

Did he know it was library paste?

Was it a frivolous prank that rewarded him with death, or a dare that earned him the first Darwin Award?

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About Scott Postma

Scott is a writer and teacher living in North Idaho. He loves teaching the Great Books, writing and blogging, and collecting more books than he'll ever read in a lifetime. You can subscribe to the tribe and follow him on Twitter, Facebook, and Google Plus.

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About Scott

Scott is a writer and teacher living in North Idaho. He loves teaching the Great Books, writing and blogging, and collecting more books than he’ll ever read in a lifetime. You can subscribe to the tribe and follow him on Twitter, Facebook, and Google Plus.